SOLANO’S BOOT & WESTERN WEAR. The family-owned shop in Ratón started as a boot-repair business in 1956, before expanding into a nationally recognized purveyor of authentic Western clothing, hats, and boots—some of which are designed in-house. “You won’t find our Tall Top boots anywhere else,” says manager Sandy Solano of their 18-inch-tall custom kickers. Don’t miss their “hat cemetery,” a collection of 400 retired cowboy hats donated from local ranchers and customers.
Cimarrón West, co-owned by Casey and Gayanne Jeffers, offers everything from horse feed to handmade leather goods.
Photograph courtesy of Cimarrón West.
CIMARRON WEST. Since opening in 1989, this Cimarrón outfitter has sold items ranging from horse feed to handmade leather chaps. “I guess we’ve been in business so long because we’re too dumb to do anything else,” jokes Casey Jeffers, who co-owns the store with his wife, Gayanne. In truth, he is a talented leatherworker, making many of the shop’s saddles, reins, stamped belts, and fringed chinks (chinkaderos) in-house.
Founded in 1947, Bennie's Western Wear has grown from its original Artesia site to include a Main Street staple and a new Carlsbad location.
Photograph courtesy of Bennie's Western Wear.
BENNIE’S WESTERN WEAR. Bennie and Mildred Mason opened the original Bennie’s, in Artesia, in 1947, before moving to the cowboy outfitter’s current Main Street spot in 1961. The 77-year-old shop, which debuted a Carlsbad location in 2018, also specializes in work wear (including fire-retardant gear for oil workers) and prides itself on old-fashioned service. “We greet everyone who comes through the door,” says grandson Clay Mason. “It’s that personal attention.”
Bar G Western Wear in Portales, established during a cattle market downturn, has grown from a small boot repair shop into a leading Western apparel destination.
Photograph courtesy of Bar G Western Wear.
BAR G WESTERN WEAR. “Kickin’ for 50 years” is how Bar G announced its anniversary in June. Ranchers Buz and Fern Goodson founded the Portales shop in 1974, when the national cattle market took a hit. From their early days fixing boots, the Goodsons have grown the business into one of the biggest Western apparel shops in eastern New Mexico. “We’ve got at least 250 felt hats and 200 straw,” says manager Grady Goodson, who joined the family business two years ago to help out his parents. “I grew up in this store,” he says. “It’s too good a business to let go.”
Read more: This beloved retailer has been suiting up real-deal New Mexico cowboys and gals for generations.
